12.27.2008

in memoriam of days yesteryear, i've experienced more than my fair share of personal growth. granted, i'm no more than slightly over a quarter century old at the time of writing and many would (rightfully) express that i've many more years left of self-discovery, yet i can't help but notice specificities in those around me that remind me of myself, though myself reminiscent of a time long since passed. this difference though, however slight, creates a very interesting dichotomy - kay in early twenties, versus kay during mid-twenties.

now for specifics.

when i was in my early twenties, i constantly felt as though i had something to prove. i had a pretty solid idea of who i was, but that wasn't nearly enough. as some sort of bizarre, adolescent interim solution, i developed a nasty little habit during those times that make me cringe even as i think about it now - i developed a habit of "picking up" (but mostly feigning) interests that were largely those of surrounding company at the time, truly believing those were my thoughts and my interests (though honestly, i probably could not have cared less). i even went to extravagant lengths to prove to the group and to myself that they truly and really were my interests; in a time of livejournal and myspace, my about me, interests, music and etc would constantly change every time i joined a new circle of friends or involved myself with a new male interest. it was as though it wasn't enough to just tell myself that i now loved this band or loved that book, i had to somehow proclaim to the online masses that i now really loved these bands and these books through mass internet updates, as if that somehow verified my true affinity for whatever it happened to be at the time.

i say this now, given the gift of hindsight and seeing more clearly through an older, wiser pair of eyes. it's strange, seeing these things and these actions of a younger self being put on show by others and recognizing yourself within them - it evokes a very strange and confusing combination of self-loathing, compassion (for both others and yourself) and annoyance at the outside guilty parties.

hm.

i guess i haven't quite figured out how to deal with the above concoction for disaster quite yet - maybe the gift of hindsight hopefully might solve that one, too.
Read more!

12.18.2008

11.29.2008

mother is still in town - took her to the glendale today to do some weekend holiday shopping. picked up only a few things, but the few i did pick up more than made up in style and quality rather than quantity.

11.27.2008

today the mother comes into town. in just a little shy of an hour, i'll be leaving to pick her up from lax only to endure an awkward five days with her, filled with questions, doubt, suspicion and likely disappointment - the usual motherly cocktail.

i digress.

it's surreal spending thanksgiving in another town, particularly one as dense and as populated as los angeles. the last several thanksgivings i can remember were spent alone or with one other close friend aimlessly wandering around a seemingly dead city since most of my 20-something neighbors all had family to go home to for the holidays. the usual hard-pressed-to-find-a-parking-spot streets are empty - even the bums are nowhere to be seen.

switch now to downtown la - thanksgiving day 2008 ends up sunny, much to the dismay of the rain that's flooded the streets of our beloved city over the last day and a half. being downtown where the majority of the shopowners are of ethnic origin, the shops are open and just as busy as ever - each storefront seems to feature some extravagant display busting at the seams full of imported, knock-off goods. and the shoppers, they're out too; shopping totes in tow, children biting at their parents heels begging for every toy their beady little eyes happen upon. noting these details, stands in such stark contrast to the pacific northwest thanksgivings i'd grown used to. i've traded in my grey, wet, empty and unforgiving streets for sun, traffic (even on a thanksgiving day), and neighbors who both don't understand and don't care what all this fourth-thursday-of-november fuss is about.

5.22.2008

crate and barrel is having an excellent outlet sale right now with up to 70% off selected items in every category. some excellent finds can be found on the site - hurry, since i doubt some of these are going to last long at these prices.

5.21.2008

big dipper - 2007"big dipper dips twenty-four chandeliers using the technique of candle making. the machine rotates and lowers strung wick chandeliers periodically, building up 12 layers for each. after twelve hours, twenty-four chandeliers are completed and a new cycle can begin."

burn burn burn - 2007"burn burn burn is the documentation of a performance with a special kind of paint; a flammable paint similar to the colored tip on the end of a matchstick.when applied, dried and lit, the flame slowly moves forward. it moves over the floor, table legs and chairs where it leaves behind a pitch-black trace, a picture frame burned into the wall and charcoal roses."

5.20.2008

there is no shortage when it comes to books covering every gamut of architecture and design, covering a spectrum of topics from interior & furniture, visual biographies and eras of influence - the list continues on for miles. taschen is a great publishing source for the classics including the domus design journals, as well as rizzoli, publisher of 'the way we live' series. if you're thinking about building up your literary design collection, might i suggest the following:

5.19.2008

for those of you unfamiliar, i have not been an angeleno all my life. in fact, not even most of it. i'm a new yorker by both history and heart, but having spent 11 years in seattle has taught me to slow down some and catch more than a few breaths or two in between. having just recently moved to LA a few months ago, i took happily to decorating my space which, for the first time, offered me enough room to try some new things and play to a degree i had never had before whilst in seattle.

i reside in an old 1911 beaux arts building in downtown LA originally used as an office building but converted in 2002 for residential loft use. i couldn't wait to post pictures, despite the space being only about 90% complete. regardless, some shameless self promotion and eye candy for you to enjoy!

martha stewart has a great feature in their 'home & decorating' section this week of three homes with distinctly different styles and each family's take on life and style within each home. i strongly suggest visiting and taking a gander at each home - i'm especially envious of both the LA spanish-style home since i often pass by those houses on my way about town (do they all look like that on the inside?), and the beautifully done beach bungalow.

beautiful use of coordinating multiple shades of base colors, and LOVE the tree stump/stool idea.

nice pop of color on the painted door panels.

bamboo chairs bought as a novelty item, but work beautifully with the muted color scheme.

from the southern colonial home.

great idea of using a collection as a focal headboard.

another great idea for unearthing treasure with an old fireplace. Read more!

about me

the name is kay wang and i work and live in the small town of los angeles, california. in this blog i'll attempt the impossible, though i haven't quite figured out what that is just yet. i'll keep you posted.